66
Franchises from £20,000 to £50,000
ComputerXplorers
ComputerXplorers managing director Nigel Toplis
(left) and franchisee Diane Taylor (standing) with some
Investment level:
ComputerXplorers users
u
s
£24,500 plus VAT
Liquid capital: Under £10,000
e
f
o
c
Website:
www.computerxplorers.co.uk
Email:
Isankey@computerxplorers.co.uk
Phone:
f
r
a
n
c
h
i
s
01530 513308
classification:
Children’s education
were taught about sessions for the children,
suppliers, technology and how to overcome
any potential objections. It was very
exhausting with a lot to take in, but ultimately,
it was very rewarding.”
A key element of ComputerXplorers is
the constant support that it provides to all
franchisees. “There is a dedicated of ce for
all aspects of the business,” says Ms Taylor. “It’s
all very hands on and if I need anything, all I
have to do is ask and they will do it.”
The price for a ComputerXplorers
franchise is £24,500 plus VAT. For that
price, franchisees get the training, support,
a dedicated area, a complete marketing
Taylor made
programme for a year, a range of software,
access to the UK extranet, a hefty
information pack and a specially made
Making children’s IT education informative and fun,
communication system.
“We provide IT education for children,”
ComputerXplorers is making a name for itself.
says Ms Taylor of her job. “The majority of
my business is after school clubs. We are able
John Bensalhia meets franchisee Diane Taylor…
to help teach children extra skills that they
may not have the time to learn in school.
A
H, TO be at school in 2008. When that franchising may be a way out of my
“I nd that
It’s also great fun. We have amazing IT suites
I was at school, computer studies previous job. I looked through a number on
my franchise
these days which lets kids participate in
(as it was then called) consisted of the web, but they never really hit the spot onscreen clay animation, video games, digital
rather formal tutorials in which we had to for me. However, after I found out about
allows me
comic books and websites. They all love it
follow IT instructions to the letter without ComputerXplorers, I felt certain that this
to have a
and are heavily engaged. My regular school
any hint of fun or amusement. was the right one.”
balanced
appointment takes place on a Wednesday so
Well now, that’s actually a lie – I was Before ComputerXplorers, Ms Taylor attendance gures are very high on that day
brought up on the abacus, which I’m had worked in retail as an area manager for
lifestyle
for some reason!”
fairly certain will make a comeback about 20 years. “The problem was, because between work Ms Taylor also provides classes for
some day in the future. I have a young family, the job I had was not
and home. I
children’s holiday clubs. “Recently, I held a
These days, though, kids can enjoy conducive to a proper home life. So I saw class at the Newark Museum in Leicester
the wonders of IT education in a way the opportunity for ComputerXplorers and
am my own
where I conducted clay animation
that both educates and entertains. decided to take it. I thought that it would boss and can workshops which included a section on
ComputerXplorers teaches youngsters all hold a better balance between home and
adapt my
Wallace And Gromit!”
about computers from a very early age, working life. I also had a lot of transferable Ms Taylor says that the bene ts of being
mostly through after-school clubs, but also skills which I could bring to the table.”
time around
a ComputerXplorers franchisee are many. “I
through holiday groups too. However, far After Ms Taylor sent off for details, she my family” nd that my franchise allows me to have a
from a stale experience, children can learn received a pack through the post and then balanced lifestyle between work and home.
through mediums such as website design, two weeks after, she met with managing I am my own boss and can adapt my time
video games or digital comic books. director Nigel Toplis. Eight weeks later, around my family. Because the majority of
The franchise has become hugely popular, training began – all in all, it was a quick my work takes place during school term
due in part to the training and support, startup process. time, this allows me to have most of the
and also to the fact that there are very few Ms Taylor found the training programme school holiday off! It also keeps my bank
competitors on the market. very comprehensive. “I trained for one manager happy. I nd that I’m in the driving
One franchisee, Diane Taylor, joined week in the UK and then for two weeks in seat rather than other people telling me
in 2007. Ms Taylor actually encountered Texas,” she explains. “The tutors in Texas what to do. It’s also nice to be working
ComputerXplorers by accident because she included ex-franchisees who I found very for a company that doesn’t have any real
needed her oven cleaned! “I saw a franchise useful as they had lots of helpful advice and competition – it allows ComputerXplorers
for oven cleaning on the web and thought could talk about their past experiences. We to stand out that bit more.” �
February 2009
www.businessfranchise.com
BF066_ComputerXploers_Feb09 x.indd 1 7/1/09 13:36:50
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